Why?

Because every choice you and I make . . . how we act, how we treat people, spend our time and our money; is based on our core beliefs.

To put it simply…

Your core beliefs are your perceived truth about life.

And your perceived truth is something that has developed over time based on the influence of people, past experiences, education, entertainment, and the messages you allow to play in your head.

So…

If you’re unhappy and you’re ready for change you need to know your core beliefs and then recognize if they are real truth or some distortion of the truth.

Some distortions of truth many people believe.

My spouse’s happiness is my responsibility.
My child’s happiness is my responsibility.
My unhappiness is someone else’s fault.
My past defines me and determines my future.
My worth is based on my accomplishments.
If people knew the real me, they wouldn’t like me.
There’s no such thing as absolute truth.
Everything is relative or subjective.
God’s love for me is based on my performance.

Some of the ways distortions/lies become core beliefs.

They are taught to us by well-meaning teachers, friends, and family as we grow up.

They are adopted by us when we reject the things we were taught as children.

They are the result of some traumatic experiences.

They come from the repetitive messages of books, media, and entertainment.

They are gathered from the people with whom we spend the most time.

And once something, even a distortion, becomes a core belief it influences everything and most of the time we don’t have a clue how much.

Core beliefs are deeply planted and full of emotional baggage.

Let’s look at a few examples…

Following half-dozen bad dates, Sheila decided that guys are jerks. With that as a core belief, the next guy won’t have to make many mistakes to affirm what she already “knows” to be true.

Kara has been trying to lose weight for as long as she can remember. Each time she binges confirms her belief that she’s weak and unable to change.

Jill comes from a long line of accomplished lawyers and doctors. She is confident people with graduate degrees are more important and highly valued than those without.

John grew up with parents who constantly stressed that the only failure is giving up. He believes quitting anything is a sign of weakness. He’s exhausted and stressed from trying to do it all.

Suzie has had a couple of friends betray her and share things she told them in confidence. She’s convinced you just can’t trust people.

Collin lied to get out a difficult situation. He knows several friends who do the same. He believes it’s something you just have to do sometimes to get by.

It’s funny how it is easier to see things like this as distortions when they’re about someone else but we all have distortions we believe that get in the way of our happiness.

Lord, teach me what You want me to do,and I will live by Your truth.Teach me to respect You completely.Lord, my God, I will praise You with all my heart,and I will honor Your name forever. Psalm 86:11–12 (NLT)

Open my eyes so that I can see allthe wonderful things in Your teachings. Psalm 119:18 (ERV)

Make Your truth the foundation of my core beliefs.
By Your grace through the power of Your Spirit. Amen

One last thing…

Your teens are developing their core beliefs. So, I’ve made a printable of these questions. They just may make for some very helpful dinner conversation.

For a printable version of Core Belief Questions click on the graphic below…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

I LOVE hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, or coworker . . . or can use the links below. Thank you and God bless.

Like this:

About Me!

Hi! I'm so glad you're here!
I'm Deb Wolf, a recovering “good little church girl” who has been transformed by grace into a joy-filled blessing counter crazy in love with Jesus. I can't wait to tell you about it...

Let’s connect:

Become a Blessing Counter and Bless Your Marriage

You're almost there . . . just leave your email

Enter your email address so you never miss an update AND you'll receive 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning